Cyclops In The Odyssey

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In Greek mythology there are many books that coincide with each other. In the Odyssey by the Greek poet Homer and in Idyll XI by the Hellenistic poet Theocritus’ a cyclops is present. Roman poet Ovid was able to combine elements from both of these poets’ versions and make up his own version of the myth in his poem, Metamorphoses. Although the two cyclops’ share many similarities in Odyssey, there are also some striking differences in them both. The cyclops presented in Odyssey and Idyll XI are one in the same and Metamorphoses uses many elements of each poem to create his own rendition of the myth.
Polyphemus’ is the cyclops from the Odyssey. Polyphemus is introduced after Odysseus and his men escape from the land of the Lotus-eaters. After leaving the land of the Lotus-eaters, …show more content…

Odysseus is curious about who lives on the mainland. Odysseus decided to bring a dozen of his men and a wine given to him from Apollo to go visit a cave near the shore of the mainland. The cave happens to be the home of Polyphemus. Odysseus and his men discover ample amounts of food in the cave and his men want to steal it and leave. Odysseus decides to not do this and to wait for the owner of the cave to return so he can see how hospitable the host is. Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon and is nearly as powerful as Poseidon himself. Polyphemus laughs at the idea of hospitality and responds by eating two of Odysseus’ men and trapping the rest for meals. When the cyclops leaves, Odysseus devises a plan to make a lance out of a club the giant uses. When Polyphemus returns, he proceeds to eat two more of Odysseus’ men. Odysseus then offers Polyphemus the wine. While drinking, Polyphemus asks the name of Odysseus in which he responds by saying that his name is “Nobody.” Once Polyphemus passes out, Odysseus and his men stab the cyclops

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